Bicycle



(No Model.)

J. T. WILSON.

BICYCLE.

Patented Mar. 15, 1898.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,664, dated March 15, 1898- Application filed September 29, 1896. Serial No. 607,294. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, JAMES T. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Bicycles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

` This invention relates to bicycles, and has particular relation to improvements in mounting the shafts and supplying the lubricant to the bearings. r

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved bearing mechanism which will effectively impart the free spring 'movement and at the same time automatically keep the parts in a perfectly-lubricated condition, thus insuring the highest measure of ease and comfort to the rider and a high degree of efciency in operation.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a bicycle embodying my improvement, and Fig. 2 is a detail transverse sectional view taken longitudinally through one of the bearings and through the supporting -brackets therefor.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the frame of the bicycle, which may be in the main of any suitable or adapted construction. Projecting from the forks of the frame at the bottom are two horizontal parallel brackets d ct', which are separated a suitable distance and carry two vertical parallel rods b b, as shown, said rods being also separated a suitable distance. Mounted upon the pair of rods b b and extending between the same is a box O, the shaft D being carried by said box at each end.

The horizontal portions or brackets c c of the boxes O are provided at their respective ends with eyes or openings c', which receive the vertical rods b of the supporting-bracket frame and enable movement of the boxes upon said rods in a vertical plane. Ooiled springs E E are mounted upon the rods bbctween the top of the boxes O and the top bracket ct of the frame and between the bot- .tom of said boxes and the bottom bracket a' of the frame, against the tension of which the movement of the boxes in a vertical plane is exerted.

The ends d d of the axle I,or shaft D are received by transverse eyes or openings c2 in the boxes C and may be secured in position by means of nuts F or in any other suitable manner.

It will be noted that in the improved construction and arrangement above described the vertically-movin g spring-controlled boxes carry the shaft, and this general relative construction and arrangement results in a free spring action and at the same time insures a high measure of rigidity and freedom from lateral strain.

The shaft D is provided with a longitudinal central channel d', having transverse end terminals d2, which latter intersect a vertical channel c3, extending through the top bracket or portion of the box. Entering said channel c3 is a vertical tubular connection G, forming a longitudinal channel g, having its top end in connection with an oil-cup H, carried by the top bracket a of the frame. It will be noted that in this construction and arrangement in the vertical movement of the parts the tubular member G,forming the channel connection g between the oil-cup and the channel o3 in the box, will slide within the channel c3, for the purpose of which movement the top bracket of the box may be providedwith a tubular extension c4, inclosing the lower end of the tubular member Gr.

I prefer to have the bottom of the oil-cup of convergent form, centering at the bottom orice or channel, as shown at 71, and to have.

mounted in said oil-cup a vertically-movable valve-ste1n I, having a conical bottom end t', adapted to engage the opening in the bottom of the oil-cup and control the feed of the oil therefrom.

The shaft D is provided with a series of circular annular channels or grooves cl3, having in their respective bottoms transverse channels d4, intersecting the main longitudinal channel d'.

The hub K of the wheel L is mounted. upon and surrounds the shaft B, so that the oil as it is fed from the cups through the vertical channels g, c3, and d2 into the main longitudinal channel d of the shaft passes through IOO the transverse channel d4 into the circumferential grooves cl3, and an efficient supply of the lubricant is thus always provided in the said annular grooves and between the periph `wheelhub the series of balls-O are arranged.

This ball-bearing mechanism is not, however, an essential feature of my invention.

It will be understood that the correspond ing combined supporting-bracket and lubricating mechanism may be provided for both the front and rear wheels of the bicycle, as shown in Fig. l.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. As an improvement in bicycles, the wheel supporting and lubricating mechanism, comprising the horizontal brackets carrying the vertical rods upon which are mounted coiled springs and intermediately vertically-movin g shaft-boxes, axle or shaft having its ends se- ;cured in said boxes, an oil cup or reservoir mounted upon the top bracket of said supporting-frame, a vertical tubular connection adapted to slide within the channel in the shaft-box, the shaft bein g provided with a longitudinal central channel having the transverse end channel intersecting the channel in the shaft-box and with transverse channels extending from the longitudinal channel to the bottom of the circumferential annular grooves or channels arranged in a series upon the periphery of the shaft, and the wheel-hub surrounding said channeled portion of the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. As an improvement in bicycles, a wheel supporting and lubricating mechanism, comprising brackets supporting and carrying vertically-moving spring-controlled shaft-boxes, an axle or shaft carried by said boxes, an oil cup or reservoir carried by the bracket mechanism, and a tubular connection forming the channel between said oil-cup and shaft-box, said tubular connection being received by the shaft-box and sliding with relation to the vertical movement, the box and shaft being provided with intersecting channels adapted to continuously feed the oil from said tubular connection to the periphery of the shaft, and the wheel -hub surrounding the channeled portion of the shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my nam e, in presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of September, 1896.

JAMES T. IVILSON.

Witnesses:

C. SEDGWICK, M. G. MOCLEAN. 

